FEATURE: BOWLING FOR SUCCESS OR SUCCESS G INLAWN BOWLS also added to the fact this is a skill-basedrun. The conditioning side of the gameacross an entire game. If a bowler wants sport. “The main outcome of the strengthreally comes into play with mental and to do something different with the ball, program is about helping them be more physical fatigue throughout a long and that comes down to their skills and consistent in how they bowl for the entirehot 3 plus hours in the sun.” Jono abilities in manipulating the ball.” length of the game. We provide small discussed that the aim of conditioning interventions to improve that.” is more about the bowlers being more The Commonwealth Games will consistent in how they bowl for the entireshowcase a wide range of sports and The setup of lawn bowls allows for an length of the game. “That’s why we add inmany of these will be unique to the individualised program: “Some will havesmall things to their program here and Commonwealth Games. With high to do gym and conditioning sessions, there, and don’t necessarily need to focusexpectations, the Jackaroos look forward others however, because of work on conditioning at the same intensity asto taking on their direct rivals of New commitments and life outside of bowls, we might for another team sport here Zealand, England, and Scotland, as well as will have a different routine.” Jono at the VIS.” the other Commonwealth nations. If you outlined that for these athletes, their wish to see the lawn bowls live in action programs can involve stretching, a few Strength and conditioning is a relativelyat the Commonwealth Games, the strength exercises with a little bit ofnew element in the sport of lawn bowls. Jackaroos and other international lawn conditioning. Because of this, research and testing, asbowls teams will be competing at the to the direct impacts on performance, areBroadbeach Bowls Club on the Gold Conditioning seems like a strange still in the early stages. “Just because theyCoast from the 5—13 of April.th component of lawn bowls; a sport train physically, does not necessarily typically thought of as a ‘skill only’ sport.mean they are going to bowl better.” However, as Jono explained, an average Highlighting his previous work, Jono ABOUT THE AUTHOR lawn bowls game can generally run up toexplained: “It’s less simple than what we Jorden Merrilees is the copy three hours in length. Because of this, afound in swimming— that if you can jump editor at SMA and received his small element of conditioning is needed,better and higher, you’ll have better startsdegree from the University of albeit at a lower intensity to a runningand turns.” Once again, the stressed North Carolina at Chapel Hill. based or endurance sport. outcome was the goal of trying to have the athlete bowl more consistently. This “For the most part, it is quite light incan be seen in things such as having conditioning. Conditioning training wouldslightly less variation from delivery include things like going for a walk, a lightto delivery in terms of the basic jog, or an easy bike ride. Although othersmovement of the bowl. “The who need to improve that aspect of theirlunge pattern, the shoulder game (conditioning fitness), will do thingsposition— we want that to fit in like interval training on the bike, or on athe tiniest band-width possible VOLUME 36 • APRIL ISSUE 2018 35 dedadnarg/kcotsknihT